Conduit coupling



April 14, 1931. J W', LEWIN 1,800,839

CONDUIT COUPLING Filed April l, 1929 l: f `\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\Y f Patented Apr. 14, 1931 JACOB W. LEWIN, 0F

OAK PARK, ILLINOIS` i coNDUrr coUPLINe L I ,Application led April 1,

rl`he inventionrelates to improvements in conduit couplingsand particularly to a novel adapter for oval ducts for use where it is necessary to feed electric wires around corners in the walls of a building.

The improved adapter foroval ducts set forth in the following specification is particularly adapted for use in concrete columns, ioors, walls, and so forth, at points where it has heretofore been necessary to employ outlet boxes. A

The adaptation of the improved adapter' for oval duct in the place of outlet boxes effects a material saving in the cost of installing conduits by eliminating outlet boxes, cover plates, lock nuts and bushings. The use of outlet boxes having detachable cover plates has also been objectionable particularly when employed in buildings of concrete construction. Before setting, the cement often seeps into these boxes and thence into the conduits connected therewith, thus interfering with thel feeding of electric Wires therethrough.

It is, therefore, an obj ect of the present invention to provide an oval duct adapter having such novel features of construction that overcome the aforementioned objections.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an adapter for oval ducts having means for accommodating a plurality of conduits and ducts where more than one is necessary.

Another object is to provide an adapter for accommodating a plurality of oval ducts havlng comparatively few parts, thereby reducv ing the cost of manufacture and the time required to install same in a wiring system.

Y Another object of the invention resides in the provision of a curved adapter for a plurality of oval ducts having an arc whose radius is such that said adapter will requirea minimum amount of space without oiering resistance to the feeding of electric wires therethrough.

Another object isto provide a novel adapter for oval ducts having means therein for receiving said ducts in a tight association, thereby preventing cement, plaster, or the like, from entering the passageways therein and 1929. Serial No. 351,553.

interfering with the feeding of electric wires therethrough.

l The invention, Vin general, comprises a curved conduit coupling or adapter for oval ducts having a comparatively smooth interior surface, gradually arched to facilitate the feeding of electric wires through the same. The conduit coupling is provided with attaching means integral therewith for making the same adaptable to be 'readily connected with conduit pipes without requiring the use of additional or special couplings or fittings.

The improved conduit coupling preferably is formed of one piece, however, securing means for the oval duct may be detachable but said detachable portion preferably is mounted in place at the time of manufacture to permit ready and quick installation of thc self contained unit. The novel method of constructing the present curved conduit coupling or adapter simplifies its manufacture and installation.

These and such other objects, as will appear hereinafter as the description proceeds will be more readily understood from la perusal of the following specification, reference lbeing had to the accompanying drawing, in which exemplary forms are illustrated:

Fig. l is a side elevational view of the improved curved adapter for oval ducts showing an oval duct secured in one end thereof. l

Fig. i? is an end elevational/i view of the oval duct adapter shown in Fig. l, the oval duct therein being shown insection.

Fig.'3 is a view similar to Fig. 2, but showing a slightly modified form of adaptor.

4 is a vertical sectional View taken on line 4 4 of Fig.,3 showing the shoulder provided within the novel adapter.

Fig. 5 is an end elevational view showing another modified form of the adapter, applicable in installation requiring parallell conduits. K i

Fig. 6 is a verticalcentral sectional view through a portion of the improved oval duct adapter having a plug in one of the oval duct outlets therein.

Fig. 7 is a similar view of another `modified form of the invention, showing the novel vention shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the oval duct extending parallel outwardly from thevendv a conduit pipe.

adapter lhaving means ltor receiving pipe on each end thereof.

The novel adapter, as shown in the various igures ofthe drawing preferably consists-of a body portion having means ,on one end adapted to have threaded engagement with The opposite end of the body portion is provided with an extension 16 angularly disposed to said body portion andhavingy means on its end for receiving and clamping therein;4 one or more oval shaped conduits ,or ducts.

1 Referring, in detail,- to the form of the inconduit adapter or couplingfll is provided with a relatively short body portion 12 which is formed with a central opening or passage 13 and which' preferably is cylindrical in shape. One end of this body portion. is threaded ex-y ternally, as at 14, to permit a conduit pipe 15 to be screwed thereover.

The opposite .end of the body portion 12 terminates in an extension 16,-'said extension being curved on a relatively small radius so asto reduce the general overall size of the coupling. The extension k16 'is substantially flattened. in cross section to provide an elongated oval passageway in continuation of the central opening 13 in the body 12.

This particular type of coupler is adapted tobe used when employing one conduit pipe for housing two independent lines, said lines of theextension 16, thereby eliminating the `necessity of providing twolsepai'ate conduits and separate couplings' therefor, -both running in the same direction as has commonly y been the practicg previous to this invention.A l

The employment of this novel adapter for branching two conduits from a single line also eliminates the necessity of employing an outlet box at the juncture thereof. The use of these outlet boxes islexpensive both in material and linstallation enst as they necessitate the use of cover plates and lock 'nuts or bushings. Outlet boxes used in this manner require considerable space and this novel ladapter having the substantially lflattened extension 16 permits closer adaptation of the conduit and ducts to the wall.

The free end of the extension 16 is adapted to be connected with suitable` oval shaped ducts 17 for housing the branching lines.

To provide for this the free end of the extension 16 is struck outwardly to form oii'- set portions 18 whichreceive the end 5f said I f ducts. 'As Lwill bei noted, from 4reference to Y the duct 17 in the,l free endfof the extension.

Fig. 4, a si'nooth'passageway is provided at the connection so that the lines maybe easily threaded therethrough.

Suitable means 1s prov1dedforI clamping In the present instance, leach oii'set portion 18 is provided with an angularly disposed set screw 21- which, when tightened, ears .the formation of the end ofthe partition 22.

oval duct is to extend from the novel adapter,-

thereof having external ^threads thereon to against and retains the oval duct within said offset.' The oii'set portion 18, of the extension 16 is provided with a centrally located partition 22 to`,provide independent openingsv for each section of oval duct, thereby affording complete closure of the coupler unit when the oval duct 17 is in place,

In the modified form of the invention, shown in Figs.- 3. and v4, the adapter is novelly shaped to permit a rise to bemade inthe lines when said lines extend Vin ,the 'same plane as tle conduit but at right angles therev to. This is attained by provlding the curved body portion '12a which may be curved in the direction shown or in any other suitable direction. In this form ofthe invention, a novel method of securing the oval duct 17 within the offset portion 18 is provided. v This is provided for'by cutting awa a portion of "A detachable clamping member or bracket 23,`

is placed in this cut-out portion, said bracket having apertured ears 24 onits ends adapted,- to align with ears 25 on thehoifset portion. Screws 26 extending through .the apertured ears 24 are threaded into tapped openings in ears 25 to securely clamp the oval duct' 17 therein. As will be noted, particularly in Fig. 3, the centrally located partition 22a preferably is 95' formed integral with the clamping member 23 to permit its ready lremoval to facilitate; shing of the wires throughjthe adapter before either orboth ducts 17 are in place. If desired, this centrally located partition may be ma'de separate of the clamping member 23, it being held in place by suitable screws or the like (not shown). The ends of ducts-17 extend into the offset as before, they abutting the shoulder formed by said oii'set in the body,

:thus the seam at the ]oining of the clamp 23 23 substituted for set screws 21 to retain the duct in psition. In this figure a portion of the coupler has been broken awayrto show.

It will be notedthat this partition is rounded `n its inner edge, as at 27 to -aiord little or no resistance to the ylines' being drawn thru the' adapter. In the event that only one 120 a plug 28, such as shownl in Fig. 6, may be employed to closethe unused duct opening, said plug being securely retained' therein by the set screw 21.* v heform of the invention shown in Fig. 7v 125 shows a substantially flat curved adapter having arounded.` body portion 29 on each end reciveconduit piping.w An adapter of this character requires less space than that ref 1'30' Lacasse quired by an outlet box which is now necessarily employed for making connections when conduit pipe is employed, and is espe-' the interior thereof to interfere with the free y passage of the electric wires therethrough. Joining of the oval duct 17 and the conduit pipe 15 with the adapter ll is afforded without leaving apertures'to permit cement, plaster, or the like, to find its way therein. The curvature of the extension 16 is such that the electric wires can easily and naturally move around the bend while being fed through the conduit and said wires can readily iind their way into the proper duct by the provision of the rounded end 27 on the central partition 22.

Although exemplary forms of the inven-` tion have been illustrated and desribed,^it is to be'understood that they are capable of variations and modifications without departing from the spirit of the inventiom I, therefore, desire to avail myself of such' variations and modifications as fall within the scope ofv the appended claims.

I claim:

l. An adaptor for oval ductscomprising a cylindrical body portion having external threads on one end, an extension on the other end, said extension being curved and having means on the outer end thereof for receiving a plurality of oval ducts therein. -Y

2. An adaptor for oval ducts comprising a cylindrical body portion having external threads on one end, and a curved extension on the other end, said extension having a` plurality of openings in the end -thereof to receive oval ducts.

3. An adaptor for oval ducts comprising a cylindrical body portiomhaving threads on one end, the other end of said body being flattened to provide an oval-shaped extension, said extension being curved and having openings inthe endthereof to receive oval ducts.

4. An adaptor for oval ducts comprising a cylindrical body portion having external threads on one end, theother end of said y body being formed substantially flat in cross section to -provide an extension, said extension being curved and having a plurality of oval shaped apertures in the free endthereof.

5.V An adaptor for oval ducts comprising a cylindrical body portionhaving threads on one end, the other end of said bodypo'rtion having its oppositely disposed side walls flared inwardly and outwardly respectively to provide a'substantially flat hollow exten-U` sion, said extension being curved.

6. An'adaptor `for oval ducts comprising -a cylindrical body portion having threads on one end, the other end of said body portion having its oppositely disposed side walls flared inwardly and outwardly respectively to provide a substantially at hollow extension of greater ,Cross sectional area than said body portion, said vextension being curved'.

'7. An adaptor for oval ducts comprising a cylindrical body portion having (external threads on one end, the other end of said body having its oppositely disposed side walls flared' inwardly and outwardly respectively sion, said extension being curved and an offset portion on its outer end.-

8. An adaptor for oval ducts comprising a cylindrical body portion having threads on one end, a curvedextension onthe other end of said body portion, said curved extension being substantially oval in cross section and having an oiset portion on its end for -receivinga plurality of ovalf ducts therein.

.9. An adaptor for oval ducts comprising a. cylindrical body portion having threads on one end, a hollow curved extension on the other endof said bodyportion, said extension being substantially oval in cross section and having an offset portion on its outer free forming ar shoulder for oval ducts secured Ato provide a substantially flat hollow extenextension being substantially oval in cross section, an offset portion on the outer end. of said extension, said offset portion formingA ashoulder to provide an abutment for oval ducts, and means associated with said oii'setI portion for 'securing the oval duct therein;

. 11. An adaptor fbr oval ducts comprising, a cylindrical body portion having threads on one end; the other end of said body portion being curved and `having 'its oppositelyV disposed sidewalls flared inwardly and outwardly respectively to provide a substantially oval-shaped extension; and two-part clamping means formed on the endof said extension for.l securing a plurality f ovalshaped ducts therein.

los

12. An adaptor for oval ducts comprising,

a cylindrical body portion having one end threaded; a hollow curved extension on the other'end of said body portion, said extension being 4substantially oval-shaped in cross section and `having a cross sectional area greater than said body portion; an offset portion on, the free end of said extension form- ,ing a shoulder to provide an ,abutment fora I plurality of oval ducts, and the offset being cut away in part to receive a .detachable clamping portion whereby the oval ducts are ixedly secured in lace.vv

13. An adaptor or oval ducts. comprising,

a cylindrical body portion having its fend spaced relation to each other and close the I' threaded; a hollow'curved extension on theopening therebetween.

In testimony whereof I alix my signature other end. of said body portion,- said extension being substantially oval-shaped in crossY sec- 5 tion and having a cross sectional area greater at 1`0 South'La Sall than said body portion; an offset portion on the free end of said extension having a s houlder to provide an abutment for a plurality `of oval ducts,said offs being cut away in part; and a detachable clamping member adapted to co-operate with said odset portion for securing the oval ducts in place,

14. An adaptor for oval ducts comprising, .a cylindricalbody portion having one end threaded; la fhollow curved extension on the other end of said bodyportion, said extension being substantiallyoval-shaped -in cross section and having accross sectional area greater than the body portion; ano'fset portion on the free end of said extension forming `a shoulder to provide an abutment for a plurality of oval ducts; and a portion of said offset portion being cut away to receive a detachable` clamping menben whereby the '25 ovalducts are secured inplace. l

` 15. An ladaptor for'oval ducts comprising, a cylindrical body portion having one end threaded; `a hollow curved extension on the other end of `saidbody portion,l said eXten- 30 sionibeing substantially oval-shaped in cross section and having across sectional area greater than the body portion; an offset .on q the free end of said extension forming a shoulder to provide an abutment for-a plu-` ralityof oval ducts, and said oiset co-operating with a separable member to provide means for securing said ducts in place.

16. An adaptor for oval ductsI comprising, -a cylindrical body portion having one end 4 0 threaded; a hollow curved extension on the other end of said body portion, said eXtension being substantially oval shaped in cross section and having ak eliossy sectional area` greater than said body portion; an'oset por.-

tion on the freeendeof (Said extension forming l a shoulder toprovide an abutment for a plulrality of oval ducts, the oset being cut away in part toreceive a detachable clamping portion whereby said oval ducts are lixedly se-4 c ured in place; and means carried by said clampingI portion for closing-the portlon of the opening not occupied/by said ducts.

17. An adaptor for oval ducts comprising, a cylindrical body portion having threads on one end; theoother endoisaid body portion= beingcurved and having its oppositely dis- .posed side walls flared inward y and outwardly respectively to providea ysubstantial- I `ly oval-shapedextension; a two-part clamp 50 formed on the end of said extensionfor sel curinga plurality of oval-shaped ducts therein; one of said parts' being formed integral with said-.extension and the other'being de-` I tachble therefrom; and a partition on said y"55 detachable part- `for retaining said ducts in 

